Surgeon Experience with Parental Leave Policies Varies Based on Practice Setting.

Surgeon Experience with Parental Leave Policies Varies Based on Practice Setting.

Bingmer Katherine; Walsh Danielle S; Gantt Nancy L; Sanfey Hilary A; Stein Sharon L

World journal of surgery

2020

2020-03

BACKGROUND: The increase in female surgeons has resulted in scrutiny of widely variable parental leave policies. We hypothesized that academic and private practice surgeons have different experiences based on difference in workplace expectations. METHODS: A 25-question survey was disseminated via social media and through the Association of Women Surgeons social media platforms from June 1 to September 15, 2017. An analysis of attending surgeons working in the USA in an academic or private practice setting was performed. RESULTS: Of 1115 total respondents, 477 were attending surgeons practicing in the USA. Practice distribution was 34% private and 47% academic. There was no difference in marital status, work status, or the number who report having been pregnant between the groups. Compared to academic surgeons, private practice surgeons were statistically less likely to have paid leave (p < 0.001) and were more likely to continue to pay benefits while on leave (p < 0.001). Private practitioners were more likely to return to work sooner than desired due to financial (p = 0.022) and supervisor (p = 0.004) pressures and were more likely to leave a job (p = 0.01). Academic surgeons were more likely to experience a delay in job advancement (p = 0.031). On multivariate analysis, more than two pregnancies were associated with an increased risk of perception of a bias and discrimination against pregnancy in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Parental leave policies and attitudes vary between academic and private practice, creating unique challenges for female surgeons and different issues for family planning depending on employment model.

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Journal Article

NEOMED College of Medicine

Department of General Surgery

March 2020 Update

Mercy Health St Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital